Browsers are a bridge that allows users to connect to the Internet and the many websites that are deeply rooted in our daily lives. With the global pandemic and the fact that everyone has gone home, the use of the Internet has increased dramatically. This increase in use has given cybercriminals an important opportunity to play games and access user data. According to the CyberEdge Group Cyber Threat Defense Report 2024, organizations affected by a successful cyber attack reached 80.7%, up from 78.0% in 2019, giving us a real picture.
Users must therefore ensure that they do not leave a stone lying around to guarantee the security of their data. Here are some tips you should follow from the Browser Safety Guide
Investment in VPN:
When the VPN is not in use, all data sent or received by your device is converted into data packets that can be easily used to track your IP address. However, when you use a virtual private network, your IP address is hidden by routing data packets via an anonymous IP address and the data is encrypted so that no outsider can read it.
Onion router means salvation:
Tor is software that can help hide a user’s location and use of the Internet. It may be used to protect the confidentiality of user data and to preserve the confidentiality of communications received by the user on the Internet, whether these are messages, communications, etc. that are not confidential. TOR makes this possible by encapsulating your browser’s requests in a three-layer encrypted housing and redirecting them three times before they reach the real server. With a TOR-compatible VPN you can make your browser incredibly secure.
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Security guide for internet browsers to prevent hacker attacks.
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Benefit from security software such as anti-virus and anti-operating systems:
One of the most common and recommended practices for safe web browsing is the availability of proven security or antivirus software. As the amount of data available on the Internet increases, the number of malware, spyware and viruses is multiplied several times. It is very important that you spend some time investigating and finding the most appropriate antivirus protection to protect your data and alerts against this Internet scam. An anti-exploitation program is also a good idea to add an extra layer of security to block suspicious behavior in the web browser itself. Read more about the types of cyber attacks and prevention measures.
Visit only SSL-certified websites:
Most websites on the Internet invest in low-cost SSL certificates that help protect user data and build trust. As a browser, it is necessary to only visit SSL-certified websites to return them to owners who have invested in customer security and encourage other websites to do the same. It is necessary to have an SSL certificate either you purchase from authenticate providers or direct certificate authorities. The benefit of purchasing SSL from resellers or providers is a discounted price. There are many reputed SSL providers including certificate authorities: Sectigo, GlobalSign, CheapSSLShop, RapidSSL, DigiCert, etc. provide suitable SSL certificates for website’s requirements.
Make sure your browser is safe and up to date:
There are many web browsers on the market, but not all of them are as secure as others. It is very important to install secure browsers. You may see unfamiliar toolbars in your web browser that have appeared but have not been added by you, or you may be redirected to new pages instead of a search page when searching in your browser. These are all indications of errors in the browser’s security system and it is recommended to change the browser. Make sure your web browser is up to date and, as new updates are released, has more unique features and better security.
Update of all security software and plug-ins:
The IT community is an advanced place for both cybercriminals and cybersecurity personnel. The availability of a browser or antivirus program is only beneficial if it is regularly updated. Hackers are constantly trying to improve their game. To thwart them, new safety patches will be implemented. You therefore need to keep your operating systems up to date. Always try to reduce the time between the time the update is available and the time it is installed, because this is a vulnerability window that can be exploited by hackers.
You can activate the automatic update to make it less tiring for you as a user. Also remove plug-ins that have not been used for a long time. You can also enable the Click to play plugins option in the plugin settings of your web browser to prevent plugins from starting when not in use.
Choose secure passwords:
Weak passwords offer hackers an accessible and vulnerable place to crack your identity. By using this loophole, they can gain access to confidential account information, transaction details, and so on. You should therefore take into account best practices when choosing a password.
- Do not use the same password for all your accounts.
- Each password must be a unique combination of characters (upper and lower case), numbers and special characters.
- Don’t choose a common password or anything that is easy to guess, such as last name, date of birth, etc.
- Change your password every few months.
- Use a password manager if you want to remember different passwords.
Use two-factor authentication:
Authentication with two factors is necessary to ensure that no one else can occur, and is now available on most platforms. Make sure you choose the location where this is possible. If someone has tried to login to your account, you will receive a warning message or email and you can either confirm that the activity is known or take the necessary action, such as changing your password, etc. If you do not authenticate with authentication levels 1 and 2, no one can access your account and it will not be blocked. This is also useful if you have forgotten your password. You can use the two-factor authentication to reset the password.
Avoid public Wi-Fi:
Public Wi-Fi is not one of the safest ways to surf the Internet. Network operators may have systems in place to record your actions, track your information, or access your accounts without permission. At the same time, you sit in the dark and enjoy the free service they pretend to offer you, when they can make money selling your information. VPNs can be useful if you need to connect to public Wi-Fi, but otherwise avoid using public Wi-Fi.
Checking the cookies in your browser:
Each time you visit the website, small packets of data are stored on your computer, which they use the next time you log in, so that you can pick up where you left off. Over time, this data may create patterns in your online behavior and may be misused to compromise your privacy. Therefore, as a security measure, cookies should be deleted at regular intervals and old stored cookies should be deleted.
Adjust your surfing behaviour:
- It is very important to be able to distinguish between protected and unprotected sites. A padlock on the left side of the address bar means that the SSL protocol protects the site so that navigation is safe. One way is to view the data of the SSL Certificate in your browser if you want to see the data of the certificate.
- In case of suspicion, do not proceed with transactions and do not disclose any confidential information. Beware of the links you follow to the website, as they may be infected with malware.
- Torrent sites are simple distributors of malware and other virus-infected files. Once such a file is downloaded and started on your system, the owner of the malware may take possession of your computer and abuse everything on your system.
- In general, limit the amount of data you make available on the Internet to data that is primarily personal and confidential. The less data you enter in your browser, the smaller the chance of abuse.
- When you log out of the site, don’t forget to log out of your account and don’t just close the browser tab or window. On many websites, closing the browser is not the same as logging out and can be a loophole for hackers.
In short, with the rise of cybercrime, our security is in our hands and we need to be aware and careful when surfing the internet. Prevention is better than cure, so keep an eye on the tips and make sure your online time is enjoyable, productive and safe. Read more about preventive measures to combat cybercrime.
